The Vampire Diaries was on tonight. You know what that means? Lots and lots of words (including more profanity than usual) behind the cut. SQUEE!

I'd like to be all joy and squee over Elijah's return, but being spoiled for it did really kinda ruin that. Obviously, I'm beyond thrilled that he's back, but the OMG!ELIJAH!SQUEE! just wasn't there in the moment. So moving onto other things. This episode wasn't bad by any stretch, and it was nowhere near the fail that was "Disturbing Behavior" in terms of narrative flow, but it was easily the weakest episode *since* Disturbing Behavior" -- and that episode was written by Brian Young. Guess who wrote this episode? Brian Young. *sigh* At least, the characterization was overall better this go-round. Still ... the good news is that because this was not an OMG!Episode, this write-up will not be as long as usual. Really. I swear.

(Done! Aha! See? I'm normally in the 3,000+ word count. This one was under 2,300! :D)

The original draft of this post contained multiple CAPSLOCK rantings about 'why can't my bb Damon be treated better?' But I'm letting most of them go and consolidating in a less CAPSLOCK rant confined to one paragraph. It wasn't so much that Damon was treated badly, it was that Bonnie (nor Elena) showed any gratitude that, of his own free will, Damon chose to help Bonnie out and cut down on the mom-finding-venture by hours. It was that Alaric is continuing to be a bit of a douche to Damon, and this was really pronounced because Damon was genuinely looking out for Ric, and again, no gratitude. It was partly because Tyler has done some horrible things and it's glossed over by Bill. Bill was horrible to Caroline, and it's glossed over period. And Stefan. Stefan, Stefan, Stefan has done some truly horrendous things and Bonnie has not only not given him any attitude or anger, but she hasn't even given him a tenth of the attitude she almost regularly graces Damon with. And, finally, on top of all of that, Stefan was his usual, selfish self and was an asshole about Damon.

When he said Elena was better than Damon, I said aloud, "you asshole." Not that it isn't true, because it is. And yes, he followed it up with the statement that neither of them were, but it's the principal of the matter. Damon has been BUSTING HIS ASS for almost a year now protecting Elena, protecting her friends, protecting his brother, protecting the town to a degree with only a few relapses (and for a vampire who lived on the evil side of things for over a hundred years, that's damn good). On the other hand, Stefan basically did shit when he was "good" and is creating all kind of horrible emotional, physical, psychological damage now that he's "bad." Despite this, Damon has never been negative about Stefan outside of snark. Ever. He has always defended him, always had his back.

Yes, Stefan loves Damon more than anyone else in the history of ever. That's not in dispute. However, he still has always been the chosen one and this is where his selfishness comes in. His comment didn't read to me as Stefan being all noble about Damon (because, fuck that shit! Where was that nobility when he was with Elena?), it's about dogging his brother because Elena is his and she can't choose Damon over him. Because Stefan is the chosen one. Always. And as the chosen one, no matter how much he adores Damon, he still seems incapable of seeing (or at least acknowledging) the good that is in Damon. There's always a catch, always a but .... So yeah, Stefan ... selfish asshole. (I still love you, though, boo!)

And, in my mind, it's actually *also* the flipside of the triangle. It's not just that he can't deal with Damon being the chosen one for once, it's also that Elena isn't supposed to choose Damon. That's for Stefan to do. It's clear to me that Damon is the most awesome thing like EVAR for Stefan, but he's all Stefan's. Only Stefan gets to have that part of Damon, see that part of Damon. As jealous as he over Elena (and I do think he wouldn't react this way if it was anyone other than Damon), he's just as jealous over Damon. And as much as Elena shouldn't want Damon because Stefan is the chosen one, it's just as much that Elena can't have Damon because Damon is his.

And a bit more about that lovely statement of Stefan's, it struck me anew that this again goes to the core of why Damon has such major self-esteem issues. His dad was the biggest asshole, Katherine chose Stefan over Damon, Lexi sent Damon on his way without a qualm while taking care of the special snowflake that is Stefan, and Stefan is pretty damn good at always seeing the bad in Damon. No wonder the guy has self-esteem issues out the wazoo. Which were in play in his scene with Stefan at the end. Stefan had no right to hit Damon here, none at all. Stefan is what screwed the pooch with Elena BIG-TIME, and it's been months (at least six to seven by the show's timeline). Yet, Damon clearly felt he deserved it, but then we already know that Damon feels guilty about it all. He shouldn't. Elena shouldn't. The only one who should feel guilty at this point is Stefan, who again, screwed the pooch all on his own!

Regarding the Stefan and Elena stuff, well, I was actually okay with it for a variety of reasons. First off, their first scene in the barn again played off of that abusive boyfriend angle. Stefan upset about something, kicking the chair over violently, Elena jumping. And then, even when we had the slight intimacy of her removing the wood from him, I didn't mind that and her even doing it despite what he did to her on the bridge because that is who Elena is. She is extraordinarily empathetic. Even to jerks. (For example, see: Damon in too many episodes to count; see: Tyler in "Crying Wolf.")

I did think that how she told Stefan (by saying "I kissed Damon" as opposed to "Damon kissed me") was partly to piss him off, partly to make him jealous, partly to get some rise out of him and show that he still loved her because she does still love him (of course she does), and partly because she did feel guilty. She did feel that he deserved to know because of the whole convoluted, complicated mess that is their relationship. And I think she chose to describe the kiss as her action because in this moment, with Stefan, she couldn't lie about the fact that the key wasn't that Damon kissed her, it was that she kissed him (back). Yet, she didn't get any kind of reaction from Stefan that she was expecting. And I thought the dialogue choice was interesting after she told him and he didn't respond. She laid her hands almost on his chest and said "there, all done." Maybe I'm just being hopeful but it read to me as if it could be signifying them, their relationship. One can dream.

ETA: Reading archangel_blood's post reminded me of something I forgot. Elena's final scene with Alaric seemed to also signal her acceptance that she's ready to move on from Stefan, and that it's okay. Yes, she was talking to him about Jenna, but it was obvious that she was also speaking of herself.

Although I still never want to see Elena take his ass back, I do like that he apologized and acknowledged that he went too far, and how awesomely she took it. She said thank you quietly and that was it. I also liked that Elena saved herself and him. Ripping at the ropes, ascertaining that Jaime couldn't hurt her, ripping free, grabbing the gun and knocking him out ... just awesome. I mean, that was supremely bad-ass. You go, Elena! It was a good note as well that Stefan noted how awesomely she took control, how she has changed, how she was stronger, and I couldn't help but think -- yeah, she's stronger without you holding her back and constantly trying to keep the pretense alive that you're "normal" teenagers. She's stronger because she has someone by her side who respects her, who accepts that she is awesome all the time, strong when she needs to be, able to give herself a break when she needs. Someone who sees her as the strong, young woman she so completely is. In case you were wondering, that someone is Damon. :)

Speaking of... I thought there one scene was cute. And considering Elena denied him road-trip time (she knows how much he loves those!) and in not the nicest way, I think he was justified in spilling about the kiss, thus ensuring that even if he wasn't there on the trip, she'd spend some of her time thinking about him. Because Bonnie wouldn't let it go. And she didn't. And I was surprised that her only comment was to ask if Damon was a good kisser. Nothing about his evil, evil ways or what are you thinking? or being judgmental, just 'was it good?' (And it was. Oh yeah!)

However, that actually does make sense (unlike the Caroline-hate-on in "Disturbing Behavior") because Damon and Bonnie have been working towards an understanding through season 02 and this season so far. So seeing that understanding result in her not ragging on him was lovely ... and logical. Also of interesting note with regards to Bonnie was the fact that she asked about what was up with the two of them which took me a little aback at first because Damon and Elena act that way around each other quite a bit. And then just as quickly, I recalled how often I've noted that it's only ever been Alaric who's seen these two in these moments. Bonnie has officially joined the club!

But she's not the happiest camper right now. Oh Bonnie, and now we find out the backstory with her mom. Eek! (But when will we meet dad? Who is IN Mystic Falls!) I do have to say that Bonnie was a lot nicer to her mom that could have been warranted under the circumstances: "Well, honey, see I abandoned you because I'm selfish. But hey, I guess I'll try and make up for it with a little magic now, mmkay?" Oh my! Poor Bonnie! But, while I felt for Bonnie, I didn't really feel as much emotion as I thought I would.

I don't know, maybe the scenes would have played better with a stronger actress because I really wasn't terribly impressed with this actress, Persia White. Or it could have been Young's script. He really isn't the strongest in delivering the emotional marks, so while I tend to blame the actor over the writer when I don't feel for a character on this show, in this case, I'm waiting until we see White at play again. I'm not super-hopeful though when the most interesting thing about the character's reveal was that she's the one who locked Mikael up, and that Mikael was a-doppelganger-hunting a few years back (and that's why she locked Mikael up). Ah well, we'll see what happens next week.

And if it will include more of Tyler turning, I'm not really looking forward to it. Because, yeah, we definitely saw enough of that tonight. Seriously, way too much. We've seen him turn; it was horrible and graphic and we really felt for Tyler, but this episode and all of the time spent on Tyler turning was kinda yawn-worthy because ... been-there/done-that. On top of that, I had a few issues with those he was sharing scenes with. Erm, the last episode with Bill (THAT BRIAN YOUNG WROTE!) ended with Bill basically telling Caroline: "Suck it, bitch, you're dead and I can't ever fully love you again. I'm right, you're wrong, nanananananana!" but a tad nicer and with less profanity and in-your-face-ness. And now, he's all, sweet smiles and "we've all made mistakes." Dude, you tortured your daughter for hours and then told her she wasn't okay and never would be. And now everything's all cool? What? And Caroline, Caroline, Caroline, why are you still so controlled by the males in your life. Why do you fall back on the weak, useless role around them when you are so much better, so much stronger, so much more awesome!? Hmm, maybe Klaus will appreciate that and bring that out in her. We don't know yet though because we were denied any Caroline/Klaus interaction! To which I say: WAH! I was looking forward to that to further judge their shipping potential. Grrr......

On the other hand, not grr.... was Damon. Oh, how do I love him so! So very much. Damon was awesome. With Bonnie and Elena. With the coffins, and his flirty little "leverage"-ing with Klaus. Damon was even awesome with Dr. Fell, and with his BFF, who is playing the role of BFF very, very badly. Dude, Ric! Damon was H-E-L-P-I-N-G you. He was actually being a good best friend. And you continued to be all jerky, snarky-without-affection-dude. I am not liking. Stop it.

Honestly, at this point, I don't know if we're supposed to still be seeing a pissed off Ric at Damon (which doesn't fly with the end of "Ghost World," and the scenes in "Ordinary People"), or if we're getting only the snark because Damon and Ric do that so well, but the writers are forgetting that we need the moments of affection also. Or even if (and I hate even typing this, but I really am confuzzled), it's Matt Davis choosing to play the Alaric/Damon scenes without that affection, and as if Ric is still mad at Damon. (Never mind that he never apologized for his jerkiness in "Disturbing Behavior.") I mean, Damon snarks and says not so nice things to Alaric, but Ian Somerhalder plays it with the bit of flirt, and it's clear that Damon *does* care for Alaric. But I'm not getting that from Ric (through either the dialogue or the performance). Seriously, you all know how much I adore me some Ric/Damon BFFness, but I actually thought during this episode that Damon needed to dump Ric and find a new BFF because Ric is SERIOUSLY sucking (no, not like that!) at the job.

Not sucking at their job, though, is Dr. Meredith Fell. She's even going above and beyond the call of duty in saving lives. I must say I REALLY liked the surprising twist with Meredith. Her taking Damon down to get his blood so she could save patients??! So freaking awesome! She's kinda already on their team without anyone knowing it -- in that she makes the "wrong" choices for the "right" reasons. Go Meredith. Unfortunately, I'm really not feeling her and Alaric, and I'm kinda annoyed that they are rushing through them so fast. They met two episodes ago, sharing one scene, shared two more in the last episode, shared a few in this and then they're already kissing?! I mean, come on, give the viewers a chance to give a crap about them. Oh wait, Stefan and Elena moved even faster. But at least they had more build-up in those two episodes. I know it's been awhile Ric, but, yeah, show, let us care about them first please. (And, erm, it didn't help that there was more tension and chemistry in the scene with Meredith and Damon! Oh, Ian, you chemistry-generator-you!)

Okay then, uhm, that's it. Yeah, no random thoughts tonight. So, not the bestest episode, and one of the few weaker ones this season -- really obvious when coming off of seven FANTASTIC episodes -- but it was still good, and it definitely had some great stuff in it. Most notably the return of MY BELOVED ELIJAH!!!!!! (*Sigh* I just really, really wish I hadn't been spoiled. Man, the show hadn't even aired on the West Coast yet when I was spoiled!) :Pouts: And we have to wait two weeks for the next new episode. :Pouts again: I hate when my show leaves me.

And once more for the road: AAAAAHHHHH!!! MY BELOVED ELIJAH!!!

BTW: The icon has nothing to do with this episode, but I just made it -- based on my delusional hopeful speculation on a future Stefan/Caroline/Klaus triangle from the last episode -- and I wanted to use it. :)

Ah what the helll...squee he's back. I swear, previously I used to make fun of people who screamed when something worth exclaiming happened in TV. Now I have joined their league... Like I gave up the hope of Delena kiss happening any soon, I sorta was forcing myself to the idea that we might not get Elijah back soon... but then .. he came back.

And what a comeback...

Elijah:"So Niklaus...what'd I miss"

Klaus:

Anywho.... I loved Bonnie's reaction to the kiss.... the initial shock at Damon's announcement was given, but I was slightly worried about her getting a bit bossy... but I was pleasantly surprised that the only thing she pondered was if it was good or not... and given any indication of Elena's face after Damon pulled away after the kiss.... I think that was unlike any kiss she ever had.

Dr. Meredith Fell.... I can't but be a little skeptical.. this is TVD after all. I mean yeah I loved she's doing what she can and even if her measures might not be "ideal" ideal.... but it's commendable. But there's more to her.

And about Elena coming clean... and Stefan's silence. I kept hoping for some loud comeback, anything, but there wasn't anything to really say. She knows she kissed him back and she doesn't regret it.. yes she was looking for an indication from him that might say that he still loves and wants her back like before. But can they really be what they were? I think not. Stefan said it himself, she changed... he might let his humanity back in and the first thing he'll become when that happens is a similar copy of season 1 Stefan... but will that be someone Elena will be able to love like before.

She's different, and part of the influence behind that, the help behind that has been Damon and well.... I don't think taking back and getting back isn't an option for them until...until frankly speaking they get to know each other .. like really!

Damon was awesome..only thing I didn't like was him saying "Girl that hot..that smart..damage1..that's a little sexist.. which reminds me something Andie said during the ep "The Dinner Party" in season 2. I guess he's used to hot chicks being dumb and getting them to bed. But then he shouldn't be... one hot smartest chick/vampire of all turned him into who he is. That was the only thing about Damon that sorta stung.

I am falling in love for Elena more and more. That girl is way tough and very nice. I mean if the last scene with Ric is any indication, I say, she's more mature than people lot older than her age.

I liked the fact that friendship/best friendship in Mystic Falls runs in the family!.....

Only thing that I really didn't understand and I would love for you to explain it to me is that....what did Stefan mean and why did he say that "You're better than him... you're better than both of us"

Did he mean it as that... if she has to move on it shouldn't be Damon or him... she can do much better than them? Is that what he meant?

If it is Well, yeah he's partly right... but the heart wants what the heart wants.... if Elena likes/loves Damon then it doesn't matter what, who he is and where he descended from... if there needs to be something improving in him, he'll do it himself. And I think Damon and Elena's relationship makes a lot of sense than how Stefan is judging it. He just needs to see what we see and at some point he will.

Yup, that's what I was spoiled on ... and on that note, just a heads-up, other than the previews (short & extended for the next episode), I'm really, really trying to go spoiler-free, so please don't mention any for even clips or random stuff in comments. :) (You didn't here, but you have in the past -- which was cool as I was spoilered, but I'm trying to go spoiler-free now. Hah! We'll see how long that lasts!)

Ah what the helll...squee he's back.

I think after the next episode with him, I'll be more gleeful about it, but the squee of the moment was taken from me and there wasn't anything else squee-worthy about really other than Elijah's back, so yeah, I'm just not there which sucks because I so wanted to squee when my bb Elijah came back.

Anywho.... I loved Bonnie's reaction to the kiss.... the initial shock at Damon's announcement was given, but I was slightly worried about her getting a bit bossy... but I was pleasantly surprised that the only thing she pondered was if it was good or not...

I'm pleasantly surprised not because I think it's out of character because I really think she should be cool with him by now, but that the show (and especially this writer) realized that. So yay.

Dr. Meredith Fell.... I can't but be a little skeptical.. this is TVD after all. I mean yeah I loved she's doing what she can and even if her measures might not be "ideal" ideal.... but it's commendable. But there's more to her.

I don't know why, but I'm buying it right now. I could be totally proven wrong, but yeah, I'm buying it. (If not her and Alaric.)

And about Elena coming clean... and Stefan's silence. I kept hoping for some loud comeback, anything, but there wasn't anything to really say.

I'm glad there wasn't because if there had been that would have showed some definite juice still left in their relationship. As it played out, it was more resignation. They're done, they both have changed and they're moving in different directions. It's like you said: There really isn't anything to say about it.

But can they really be what they were? I think not.

Nope.

Stefan said it himself, she changed... he might let his humanity back in and the first thing he'll become when that happens is a similar copy of season 1 Stefan...

Oh, I don't think that will happen. If it does, I will be VERY disappointed. I think the heart of this show is the journey of the Salvatore brothers and how they both find a middle ground to live out their immortality. Damon was too far on the dark side, Stefan too on the bright side, both pretending to be something they're not. If Stefan were to revert to the Stefan of season 01, he would just be going back to who he really isn't. Remember that wasn't a fully happy Stefan. He even told Damon about how miserable he was in his self-loathing. That was a Stefan being who Lexi thought he should be, not a choice that he made. We need a Stefan who's making good choices (because they are his choices) and not hating himself every second of the day.

She's different, and part of the influence behind that, the help behind that has been Damon and well.... I don't think taking back and getting back isn't an option for them until...until frankly speaking they get to know each other .. like really!

And even then, I certainly wouldn't want to see it happen because Stefan has physically and emotionally abused her. You don't go back to that. You certainly shouldn't.

Damon was awesome..only thing I didn't like was him saying "Girl that hot..that smart..damage1..that's a little sexist..

Well, in his experience (ie, Katherine) that has been the rule of thumb, so he's learned to be wary.

I am falling in love for Elena more and more. That girl is way tough and very nice. I mean if the last scene with Ric is any indication, I say, she's more mature than people lot older than her age.

Agreed; Elena has just been stupendously awesome since she let Stefan go -- "Ghost World" was when I feel she did it, at the end there.

I was so annoyed at Stefan punching Damon. Like he has any claim on Elena anymore after so long and it wasn't as if Damon moved in the moment he was away. But it was a realistic reaction at least.

I was more annoyed at Ric for blabbing to Meredith about Damon's vervain drinking. Fine, you want her to be honest with her, so tell her all about your vampire hunting secret, that's yours to share, but Damon's secrets aren't yours to blab to ambiguous people you have only just met!

Like he has any claim on Elena anymore after so long and it wasn't as if Damon moved in the moment he was away.

Exactly. He had no right considering the situation. None at all!

But it was a realistic reaction at least.

Yes, it was, especially for petty, jealous Stefan who can't deal with the fact that the girl might actually like his brother back for reals this time!

I was more annoyed at Ric for blabbing to Meredith about Damon's vervain drinking. Fine, you want her to be honest with her, so tell her all about your vampire hunting secret, that's yours to share, but Damon's secrets aren't yours to blab to ambiguous people you have only just met!

Ah, I didn't even think about that, but you are TOTALLY right. Bad, Ric, BAD!

I love Stefan more this season than I think I've ever loved him, but he seriously pissed me off this episode. While it was completely in character, I hated how selfish he was in this episode. I just keep flashing back to Damon telling Elena that he doesn't deserve her but Stefan does. He just wanted her to be happy, regardless of whether or not that happiness included him. So wtf Stefan? Douche much? Sure, Stefan says that Elena's better than both of them, but let's be honest, that'll only hold weight as long as Stefan is on the losing side.

Okay, enough with the rant. Time to focus on the positives. ELIJAH!!! Bonnie asking Elena if kissing Damon was good! LOL, "THAT MEANS IT WAS."

I was more annoyed at Ric for blabbing to Meredith about Damon's vervain drinking. Fine, you want her to be honest with her, so tell her all about your vampire hunting secret, that's yours to share, but Damon's secrets aren't yours to blab to ambiguous people you have only just met!

Yeah, I've always loved this Stefan but he's been AWESOME this season, and then here, total douchy dick!

While it was completely in character, I hated how selfish he was in this episode.

It honestly blows my mind that Stefan's selfishness is not an obviously-known trait, but I know that many have not seen this in him before. It's been around from almost the beginning, folks!

I just keep flashing back to Damon telling Elena that he doesn't deserve her but Stefan does.

Yup, I didn't mention it in the post, but I kept thinking of that scene in "Rose" as well.

He just wanted her to be happy, regardless of whether or not that happiness included him. So wtf Stefan? Douche much? Sure, Stefan says that Elena's better than both of them, but let's be honest, that'll only hold weight as long as Stefan is on the losing side.

Exactly. It's NOT about what's best for Elena; it's not what about what will make Elena happy. It's about Stefan getting what he wants and pissed off that Elena could possibly be happy with someone who isn't him. Asshole.

Time to focus on the positives. ELIJAH!!! Bonnie asking Elena if kissing Damon was good! LOL, "THAT MEANS IT WAS."

I am really getting tired of the lack of appreciation for Damon changing. I was thrilled when Elena thanked him for always helping her- but would it have killed her to speak up for him to Bonnie or Stefan?

Sigh.

I hate that it was a weaker ep. I know it's selfish- but I want them all to rock. This only rolled.

Ah, and in your gif, I just noticed they've put the guyliner from hell on poor Daniel. Oh, show, you and your horrible make-up department.

Obviously, I'm thrilled he's back, you know that I am, but this one really need the surprise factor to pull out that reaction. I think after the next episode with him, I'll be more gleeful about it, but the squee of the moment was taken from me and there wasn't anything else squee-worthy about really other than Elijah's back, so yeah, I'm just not there which sucks because I so wanted to squee when my bb Elijah came back. Ah well, I've learned my lesson for good!

Yeah, I was disappointed with this episode. I know you don't go to the DE LJ community, so I'll just bring over some my thoughts which I already posted there. Hope you don't mind.

For the most part, we're in agreement again, except last night the SE scenes just disturbed me more than usual. I'm not even sure the writers realize that they've created and keep promoting an abusive relationship. I kept expecting some sort of reaction from Elena after the horrible events at the bridge, and there just... wasn't one. She seemed resigned somehow, an "Oh well, it was necessary" vibe and this is just scary.

Anyway, here we go. Beware, this is long.

"I love this show so freaking much that it just pains me to leave less than stellar reviews. Let's just say that this episode was not what I've come to expect from TVD. I found it lacking in action and with no deep emotional undercurrent to compensate for it.

Predictably, Damon's involvement was the only time when something was actually happening and since he wasn't in this episode that much, not much really happened. I love him even more than usual for bringing Elijah back, though. It was long overdue.

The Stefan/Elena parts really bothered me, however. Not because I don't like the couple /which I don't, in case anyone hasn't figured that out yet/. Elena's had such an amazing and steady growth as a character, she's become stronger and smarter, she's learning to hold her ground and make hard decisions and I simply adore her for it. Which is why tonight's episode felt like a step or two dozen back for her. Who I saw tonight was the girl who used to put Stefan on a pedestal and it BOTHERED ME. That's the same girl who found out he murdered her ancestors and was ok with it, cause he said "oops, sorry"; the girl who discovered his wall of victims' names and told Damon "well, I'm sure you were waaay worse than him"; the girl who completely ignored the fact that Stefan murdered Damon's girlfriend, too busy to flail over his wordless sniveling, sniffling call.

And tonight we learned that it is absolutely ok for your ex to act like a jerk, kidnap you, threaten to kill you on the very same spot you lost both your parents and almost died yourself, if he has a good reason for it. Eh, whatever. If you snark twice about it you're all fine. Not only that, you also owe him a full report on the recent developments in your personal life. And you have to wait impatiently and nervously for his feelings and opinion on the matter. Then feel guilty and sad for his consequent brooding. "Stefan, say something." Really? Well, NO. Hell no.

Even if you understand why he did what he did, even if you know there are things more important than your emotional trauma right now, you're not supposed to be the one to reach out to him, Elena! You're not supposed to explain who you kissed and why in the short breaks between murders, blood and horror, /some of it courtesy of his crusade of revenge/, then run after him and make sure he's ok; you're not supposed to soothe his hurt feelings! Bottom line - I don't like seeing my warrior princess acting like an insecure girl clinging to an unhealthy relationship. I just hope they won't try to go back to SE's relationship where they left it off in S2, because that would be OOC for the Elena of S3.

Oh, and Stefan's input - "You're better than him." Meaning the guy who's spent the last few months trying to pick up the pieces of her broken heart, broken family, broken life and put them back together into some semblance of normality. Nice one, Stefan."

Btw, after posting this I watched the episode again, and I think I can end this on a more positive note: the Elena/Alaric conversation after she walked in on him and the Doc kissing. What she said, the way she said it, the look she had on her face just had me going back and watching the scene again for some reason. “We needed you and you stayed. Hey, look, I know it’s hard. But you’re allowed to move on.” I do think that she wasn't talking only to Alaric at this moment. And if Elena's on her way to finally believing that not only Alaric but she herself, is in fact allowed to move on, that could only make me extremely happy.

Yeah, I was disappointed with this episode. I know you don't go to the DE LJ community, so I'll just bring over some my thoughts which I already posted there. Hope you don't mind.

No, I don't mind at all.

For the most part, we're in agreement again, except last night the SE scenes just disturbed me more than usual. I'm not even sure the writers realize that they've created and keep promoting an abusive relationship.

First of all, they're not promoting it at all this season. They have promoted two relationships so far: Damon and Elena, and Tyler and Caroline. That's pretty much been the source of couple promotion this season. As for them not being aware, no, I do think they are aware of it because Nina Dobrev actually compared Stefan and Elena to an abusive relationship around the time of "The End of the Affair," then we had her applying make-up over the bite in "Smells Like Teen Spirit" and this one has him violently kicking the chair and her very obvious reaction to that action.

I kept expecting some sort of reaction from Elena after the horrible events at the bridge, and there just... wasn't one.

I think it's coming still. I think something really major is going to happen and she's just going to completely lose it. Perhaps something will happen to Damon, or maybe Bonnie, Caroline, Ric, Jeremy coming back and something happens and that's going to be the catalyst because when it's her, she just holds it inside. That goes back to the Pilot where she kept saying she was fine because she's being strong for those around her, putting on a front. She did the same in "Brave New World" after Jeremy was "killed" and Katherine came back.

She seemed resigned somehow, an "Oh well, it was necessary" vibe and this is just scary.

See, I didn't see it that way. She took Stefan's apology for what it meant, but didn't tell him that it was okay, she took it, accepted it because the passion to deal with Stefan just isn't there anymore. It was resignation, but resignation in acceptance that it's over. I do think it will all come to a head eventually though. (At least, I certainly hope so!)

I love this show so freaking much that it just pains me to leave less than stellar reviews. Let's just say that this episode was not what I've come to expect from TVD. I found it lacking in action and with no deep emotional undercurrent to compensate for it.

I actually don't think that lacked in action (there was a lot), it just was underplayed by the script as was the lack of deep emotional undercurrent. This guy, this writer ... yeah, I'm not a fan. I'm really, really not.

Predictably, Damon's involvement was the only time when something was actually happening and since he wasn't in this episode that much, not much really happened. I love him even more than usual for bringing Elijah back, though. It was long overdue.

Well, again, there was action. They got Bonnie's mom who does have witchy powers apparently and she will help. It was Bonnie's mom going against the compulsion as much as she could to get Bonnie to warn her friends, who contacted Damon, who got the coffins (and Elijah!) Jaime shot Stefan, tied Elena up and Elena was awesomely bad-ass in getting free and taking care of business. Tyler turn-- oh wait, yeah, that was boring.

This episode was rough for me. Normally I save and watch the episodes in half season chunks, and right now I actually convinced my best friend into watching the show so I've been re-watching with her, she's up to 3x08 right now. And I don't know if watching it how I normally do would have made it better, but this episode just....honestly until the Elijah reveal, there was very little I enjoyed. And had the Elijah reveal been ruined for me, this episode would have just felt like a waste.

I understand it was a sort of set-up episode for a lot of things that I assume are to follow, but there was not a solid storyline to be found anywhere in it. Bonnie's, which should have been somewhat emotional, just fell flat. I didn't feel it and I didn't care. I have to admit, Bonnie is probably still my least favorite character, but putting her in scenes with Matt and Stefan, Kat Graham had a lot more chemistry and material to work with then she normally does with the girls and I've been growing to enjoy that. It just felt, maybe too rushed, or not enough. I don't know.

Alaric, I don't understand at all. I enjoy the idea of the character of Meredith Fell, and I look forward to us exploring it, but her interactions with Alaric just leave me a touch bored. Again, it's just not working. And I don't think its a chemistry issue, so much as rushing it. I know we need her in the circle, but eh....

Damon was the perk to this episode in a lot of ways. And Stefan punching him...from Damon's side of it, it was acted so well. Because he knew why it was happening, and he took it because of the guilt that he can't stop feeling when it comes to how he feels over Elena. And god, it's beautiful, because he wasn't conflicted over Katherine. He knew she was playing both of them, but he never felt the guilt over 'taking' her from Stefan if it came to that. (Not that she was his to take, but still...)

Elena, was the only other perk for me. She is stronger. She is doing her own thing. She is owning her actions. And she is not above forcing Stefan to feel, through a touch of twisted honesty. This isn't the teenage girl who fell in love with Stefan, this is the woman she was forced to become because he left her, and she had to find a way to deal and heal on her own. This is the woman who buried herself in order to start a process of moving on. I don't know, I just love Elena.

Stefan! Oh Stefan! I love you Stefan. I love badass you. I do! But what the hell was this episode? Jealousy is the emotion you choose to feel? And now you choose to feel it? It doesn't make sense to me. I mean it does. Because your primary motivator is often selfishness, a trait I believe came to you honestly from your human life and is heightened, especially when you are on the blood and a bit out of control, but Stefan sweetie come on! There is something telling though that the emotion from this reveal, isn't given to Elena, it's given to Damon. Damon is still the key to his feeling, his connection to his own humanity, I just don't know what to make of this bit. I think I needed a bigger scene to buy this and not be annoyed by it.

And I do not even know what that Tyler and Bill storyline stuff was. I don't have a clue.

Basically this episode, everything felt incredibly rushed. No storyline felt organic. It just, was not a good one, and I can't forgive it like I can some others because this is falling after some truly amazing episodes. It also hurts that this is the last ep before a break because well, I'm not feeling the urgent need to know what happens next.

Episode was lackluster and makes me sad. Also...I am home and have nothing but homework to do all weekend. You should distract me at some point. I don't remember if you have my new number since I moved or not.

I ended up being spoiled about the Elijah thing, too. I popped onto twitter to post a few tweets, and bam! Canadian spoilers were everywhere about Elijah. :(((

Damon has been BUSTING HIS ASS for almost a year now protecting Elena, protecting her friends, protecting his brother, protecting the town to a degree with only a few relapses (and for a vampire who lived on the evil side of things for over a hundred years, that's damn good).

THIS SO MUCH. I really, truly, completely wish that Damon would get the recognition (or at least credit) he deserves. Yes, he can be an ass. Yes, he can be selfish on the rare occasion. Yes, he can make wrong decisions. But there has clearly been a lot of growth on Damon's part this season, and it kills me that most of the characters still treat Damon exactly the same. As you said, where's the love from Bonnie and Alaric? No thank you? Damon went out of his way to help both of them... and no dice. I can get over Bonnie, but his BFF Ric? Something is clearly going on with him. I'm not sure if it's strictly Jenna related or if something else is going on beneath the surface, but Ric's been extremely moody lately. And I know it's selfish of me to ask, but I want my bromance in full working order.

Tyler really bored me. I was really underwhelmed by his scenes for a lot of the same reasons as you. Haven't we seen enough of this torturing shtick for a while? I'm practically begging the show to do something awesome with Tyler, because I actually liked him a lot in s2 when he initially found out about being a werewolf. Still, he is a far cry from a favorite character of mine, though.

Oh, how do I love him so! So very much. Damon was awesome.

Agreed! With next to nil time, Damon pulled off one hell of a plan. Not only does he manage to "hide" the locked coffin, but he undaggers Elijah as a surprise present (later) for Klaus. I feel Damon is very underrated, sometimes. Clearly, this episode showed how well he can pull off a plan. And thanks to Damon, the gang STILL has some leverage over Klaus.

Saving the Stefan stuff for last because it got me worked up the most. Oh Stefan...

Stefan had no right to hit Damon here, none at all.

It was a sucker punch. Damon wasn't even being douche-y. All he did was ask about Elena because, yes, he does care about her, but he wasn't trying to rub his closeness with Elena in Stefan's face. If anything, I kind of thought Stefan would be more mad at Elena because she said that SHE kissed Damon and not vice versa. But Stefan walked away, showed up at the boardinghouse, and then decided to punch Damon. Oh Stefan. He was pretty selfish and hypocritical tonight, and I was so very disappointed in him. Of course, I don't hate him. I deeply disagree with his course of actions, though.

Oh, I go nowhere near Twitter (even if I could at work, which I can't) because spoilers GALORE! I learned that one, baby!

RE: [Damon has been BUSTING HIS ASS for almost a year now] THIS SO MUCH. I really, truly, completely wish that Damon would get the recognition (or at least credit) he deserves.

I'm hoping it will happen; I'm hoping that we'll get something by the end of the season. I really am, but it is one of the things that I'm kinda resigned on possibly not getting. It seems to be a boon to all the Damon-haters, which I think is stupid because they don't see it that way because the only way they'll be happy is if everyone HATES on Damon on the show. Ugh.

Yes, he can be an ass. Yes, he can be selfish on the rare occasion. Yes, he can make wrong decisions. But there has clearly been a lot of growth on Damon's part this season, and it kills me that most of the characters still treat Damon exactly the same.

Well, to be fair, Bonnie actually didn't. No, she didn't thank him, but she didn't go off on the evils of Damon to Elena, just asked the girlfriend question of whether it was good or not. (Hee!) And Liz is awesome with him, and Elena mostly is too. It's just really Caroline and Ric :( who are the worst. But I think it's that we're not getting any kind of verbalizing and paired with Bonnie's seeming lack of caring at all about Stefan's horribleness that is making it SO VERY pointed. And really this is me calmed down because prior to my talk with butterfly, my draft was filed with so much capslock rage, with non-stop references to the lack of love for Damon in just about bit I wrote about every character, relationship and plot.

Alaric? No thank you? Damon went out of his way to help [...] his BFF Ric? Something is clearly going on with him. I'm not sure if it's strictly Jenna related or if something else is going on beneath the surface, but Ric's been extremely moody lately. And I know it's selfish of me to ask, but I want my bromance in full working order.

No, I'm with you completely. If we get some actual reason for this, I'll be happy because then it will at least make sense. Now, I'm just, seriously WTF, RIC!?!?!?

Tyler really bored me. I was really underwhelmed by his scenes for a lot of the same reasons as you. Haven't we seen enough of this torturing shtick for a while? I'm practically begging the show to do something awesome with Tyler, because I actually liked him a lot in s2 when he initially found out about being a werewolf. Still, he is a far cry from a favorite character of mine, though.

I never liked him a lot, but I certainly cared. Now, I'm just ... eh.

With next to nil time, Damon pulled off one hell of a plan.

DAMON!! HOW I DO SO LOVE YOU SO DAMN MUCH FOR ALWAYS AND FOREVER!!!! SQUEE!!!

Saving the Stefan stuff for last because it got me worked up the most. Oh Stefan...

I'm with you there!

It was a sucker punch. All he did was ask about Elena because, yes, he does care about her, but he wasn't trying to rub his closeness with Elena in Stefan's face.

Agreed; it had nothing to do with sticking it to Stefan, partially because I do think that Damon is past that point. Even if he knew that Elena had told him, I don't think he'd do that anymore. Because it's not just him deflecting because of his unrequited pain because it's not unrequited anymore. (BOOYAH!)

If anything, I kind of thought Stefan would be more mad at Elena because she said that SHE kissed Damon and not vice versa. But Stefan walked away, showed up at the boardinghouse, and then decided to punch Damon. Oh Stefan. He was pretty selfish and hypocritical tonight, and I was so very disappointed in him. Of course, I don't hate him. I deeply disagree with his course of actions, though.

Pretty much all of this, but it makes perfect sense for Stefan. Someone also pointed out how telling it was that he saved his anger, his passion for DAMON; it wasn't there with Elena. Uh huh.

I definitely get the feeling that Brian Young doesn't realize that Alaric and Damon are BFFs. It's not like Alaric has any more male counterparts himself, so it's definitely not a one-sided relationship, and I have felt like Ric was definitely NOT mad at Damon anymore, so I just sort of chalked his attitude up to not wanting Damon to interfere or be a buzzkill on his New Lady Friend. In the end, he followed up on Damon's info, but I too could have done with a moment of thanks, buddy or something from him. On the other hand, I appreciate Damon trying to be a better friend so much, my enjoyment was not ruined by Ric's less than stellar reception.

As for the Damon/Stefan stuff, you know I'm with you. I had a little epiphany earlier which I entitled 'Cocky, Ripper Douche is preferable to Jealous, Insecure Shithead.' Seriously, Stefan.

This episode did make me certain I don't want to see more of Tyler turning, but I do like Meredith now. I agree that she had nice chemistry with Damon, of course, because who doesn't? You can just see everyone responding to his charisma, regardless. Even though Meredith is supposed to be impervious to his charm *ahem* ;-) But yeah, I'm not shipping her and Ric or anything, and I did ship Ric and Jenna. I even shipped Ric and Isobel a bit.

Also with Elena and Stefan, part of me wondered how much of the confession was about the recent kiss, and how much of it was about the deathbed kiss? In both instances she kissed him (the latter involving kissing back of course, but you get my meaning), and in both instances it would have bothered Stefan, given the reason behind the kisses: she wanted to kiss him. And she still wants to kiss him. And subconsciously, to me anyway, it felt like a 'you need to know this because it might happen again' because in her earlier conversation with Bonnie she said he kissed me and it's not going to happen again and with Stefan she told the truth: I kissed him and while she waited for Stefan to say something, all he could come up with was a sort of apology and a pronouncement that everyone already knows. So, yeah, I'm still holding out for that moment when Elena chooses Damon over Stefan, even in a small way. That's what has to happen next. Next kiss is on her, totally. *crosses fingers & toes*

I definitely get the feeling that Brian Young doesn't realize that Alaric and Damon are BFFs.

Yeah, maybe that's it, but to be honest, I feel like Ric was off a lot in the last episode and a bit in the episode before so I don't know what's going on here. Grumble, grumble.

I too could have done with a moment of thanks, buddy or something from him.

Yeah, not too much to ask for, folks!

On the other hand, I appreciate Damon trying to be a better friend so much, my enjoyment was not ruined by Ric's less than stellar reception.

Yes, Damon always provides the love! WHEE! :)

As for the Damon/Stefan stuff, you know I'm with you. I had a little epiphany earlier which I entitled 'Cocky, Ripper Douche is preferable to Jealous, Insecure Shithead.' Seriously, Stefan.

Saw it, agreed and liked the points you made.

This episode did make me certain I don't want to see more of Tyler turning

Uh, yeah.

but I do like Meredith now. I agree that she had nice chemistry with Damon, of course, because who doesn't?

Uh, yeah. Ian Somerhalder -- generating chemistry with every person he's on screen with since 2000 (putting aside a few TV guest appearances before Young Americans, hahaha!)

You can just see everyone responding to his charisma, regardless. Even though Meredith is supposed to be impervious to his charm *ahem* ;-)

Again, but, uh yeah.

But yeah, I'm not shipping her and Ric or anything, and I did ship Ric and Jenna. I even shipped Ric and Isobel a bit.

I didn't ship Ric and Jenna, but I did ship Ric and Isobel. So I don't know. Whereas Ian can generate chemistry with anyone, it looks like Matt needs to find very particular peoples. And, sadly, the writing of this romance is seriously lacking right now. How could the show manage a gorgeous love story in ONE EPISODE (Stefan/Rebekah in 3.03) and drop the ball so spectacularly with three episodes to work with?! Ugh. (Where's Caroline Dries -- she's kinda the queen of romance on this show, I do believe -- when we need her? Because Ric and Meredith clearly do! It was her, after all, who wrote the only time I've come even close to shipping Matt and Caroline -- in "The House Guest" because of the GORGEOUS writing.)

Also with Elena and Stefan, part of me wondered how much of the confession was about the recent kiss, and how much of it was about the deathbed kiss? In both instances she kissed him (the latter involving kissing back of course, but you get my meaning), and in both instances it would have bothered Stefan, given the reason behind the kisses: she wanted to kiss him.

I don't know; I imagine that was on her mind, but I do think it was much more about this one because there were no extenuating circumstances. She couldn't excuse it away with anything other than that she wanted to kiss him.

And she still wants to kiss him.

*Sigh* I know. (Teary-voiced, "Damon you can't kiss me again" /unspoken/ even though I really, really, really want you to!)

I'm still holding out for that moment when Elena chooses Damon over Stefan, even in a small way. That's what has to happen next. Next kiss is on her, totally. *crosses fingers & toes*

LOL I'm probably the only one who loved this episode, it seems. I thought everyone was very much in character, there was some backstory, individual storylines, plot moving forward and ELIJAH coming back.

I'm sad for you getting spoiled about Elijah returning BTW, that really sucks. Because not knowing about it made the ending so much more special. I probably would've been blah about the episode had I known about Elijah too.

So yeah, I hadn't squeed that hard in a long time and I missed it. *squishes her TV show*

That being said, I agreed with a lot of your comments.

-Damon.

I think Damon's change has been overlooked by everyone but Elena for a loooong time now, so I wasn't particularly moved by it in this episode in particular because I've kinda accepted the fact everyone is ungrateful to him whatever he does. Of course you're totally right about how unfair it is but I'm not sure the show has been self-aware in that aspect.

I think Bonnie's kind of showing she noticed the changes though. Her reaction about the kiss was very surprising. There was no judgment, not even a word about how Damon's evil and how could Elena ever entertain the thought of kissing him? I thought Bonnie was pretty cool about it and I think she would've had a totally different reaction had the kiss happened even a season earlier.

As for Ric, I don't see him as being a douche to Damon, IDK. I see it as their usual snarkiness. I mean they're still hanging out and Ric didn't even bat an eye when Damon told him his exes couldn't say anything because they were all dead (ouch). I do believe Ric's still resentful about the snapping neck thing but they're still BFF. I think the true test will be when Ric will probably have to defend Damon to Meredith at some point.

Speaking of Meredith, yep, they're moving too fast but I don't think she's going to stay long so they're not drawing it out. IDk, we'll see. I liked her much better this week but I'm still waiting for that other shoe to drop.

Going back to Damon, I loved your analysis about his self-esteem issues. And I think it's pretty realistic, the way that no matter what he does, he's not the chosen one. We've all felt that way once in a while, I think.

Bill was horrible to Caroline, and it's glossed over period.

Totally agree with you on that one. I was pretty annoyed with this too, 'We've all made mistakes', yeah, right torturing your daughter and telling her she's a monster is just a slight mistake. okaaay.

-Stefan.

And, finally, on top of all of that, Stefan was his usual, selfish self and was an asshole about Damon.

As you said, he was his usual selfish self, I like the fact the writers keep writing him that way. Stefan has always been selfish about Elena, always. Damon and Elena together is something he's always feared (remember his attitude in season 2 even though Elena gave him no reason to be jealous?), again partly because his love for Elena is selfish (she's the one person he wants to be human-like with, he wants to maintain the illusion with and there's a huge 'I can't have you but I don't want anyone else to have you either' thing going on) and partly because you're right, Stefan's always been the chosen one and he doesn't want this to change no matter how he loves his brother. I think it's a pretty realistic thing when you have siblings, no matter how much you love them, there's always some rivality above all when it concerns stuff you want to be the best at.

So yeah, Stefan was an asshole and he totally had it coming but his reaction was realistic. And I loved how Damon didn't want to start a conflict over this and just changed the topic to Elijah. Ah, Damon *sigh* I love how Damon shows by his actions how much he loves his little bro and how he never bad-mouthed Stefan to Elena even when he had ammunition. I LOVE the contrast with Stefan's bitter remark about how Elena's better than both of them. It can't be a coincidence.

-Stefan and Elena. I'm just going to say a big THIS to everything you wrote. It was mostly about Elena being empathic when she removed the bullets, she's always been like this (I think the Tyler example in season 2 is pretty telling indeed).

I liked the fact Elena owned the kiss, you know and said she didn't feel guilty about kissing Damon. I think it's a huge step forward.

Badass!Elena is made of awesome. I cheered when she saved herself and Stefan's ass. And like you I really liked how the show made Stefan acknowledge the change in Elena (and agreed about Damon helping with that change ;)). It means they can't get back together, right? right??

- I agree that Bonnie was way too nice to her mom but I got over it because it made me think of people being abandoned at birth and doing their best to find their birth mother and even attempt to build a relationship.

Oh wait, Stefan and Elena moved even faster.

LOL.

(And, erm, it didn't help that there was more tension and chemistry in the scene with Meredith and Damon! Oh, Ian, you chemistry-generator-you!)

LMAO! Glad to see I wasn't the only one noticing the tension between the two characters.

And we have to wait two weeks for the next new episode. :Pouts again: I hate when my show leaves me.

I was spoiled about Elijah too :[ Note to self: never look at your friends page before watching the episode!! lol

Basically, I agree with everything you've said. How do you manage to always address everything one could possibly think of??? ♥!

I was kind of baffled by the amount of screen time Tyler got. Like you said, we did see him turn before. What was the point in showing us so many scenes of that again? I'm also not happy with the style of Bill's return. He left as a jerk & now he comes back & Caroline starts out by calling him daddy again? Is this really a new episode?

I just hope that at least the writers know Damon is being awesome. I don't mind (well, I do, but I'm willing to be understanding) Damon being mistreated by everyone as long as it will all be straighetened up in the end. It's never too late for proper expressions of gratitude.

I think this is a very interesting trait with Stefan that he's seeing the bad in Damon (& others), especially that the show makes a point of promptly showing us just how off Stefan's judgement usually is. When in 1x02 Stefan writes in his diary that there is no good left in Damon - we are shown Damon caressing sleeping Elena's face. Similarly, when at some point in S2 Stefan says something about Katherine being heartless (something along the lines, can't remember exactly), we are shown a flashback in which Katherine caresses dead!human!Stefan's face (btw This is one of the reasons I'm holding onto my hopeless theory that endgames are going to be Damon/Elena & Stefan/Katherine LOL)

On the whole, yes, it wasn't the greatest episode but I guess I'm still high on 3x10 so I'm happy anyway haha

I was spoiled about Elijah too :[ Note to self: never look at your friends page before watching the episode!! lol

So SUCKY! And because the rest of the episode didn't really have anything else to cheer about, we were so denied that full moment!! Grrr! (Yes, I'm still not very happy about this.)

Basically, I agree with everything you've said. How do you manage to always address everything one could possibly think of??? ♥!

Honestly? I don't know how I manage to spew it all out in any coherent form. Every time I sit down to write these posts, I expect lack of coherency, bullet points, but the power of TVD brings it all home! (Still, thank you.)

I was kind of baffled by the amount of screen time Tyler got. Like you said, we did see him turn before. What was the point in showing us so many scenes of that again?

THIS! Yes, why? Why did they waste so much screen time on that? Baffling is a good word choice.

I'm also not happy with the style of Bill's return. He left as a jerk & now he comes back & Caroline starts out by calling him daddy again? Is this really a new episode?

Yeah! Especially since it was the same writer for both (sub-par) episodes.

I just hope that at least the writers know Damon is being awesome. I don't mind (well, I do, but I'm willing to be understanding) Damon being mistreated by everyone as long as it will all be straighetened up in the end. It's never too late for proper expressions of gratitude.

I really, really hope that it is coming this season. We got it from Elena sincerely so I'm hoping that it was a sign of more to come because they do get it. Hopefully, anyway.

I think this is a very interesting trait with Stefan that he's seeing the bad in Damon (& others), especially that the show makes a point of promptly showing us just how off Stefan's judgement usually is. When in 1x02 Stefan writes in his diary that there is no good left in Damon - we are shown Damon caressing sleeping Elena's face. Similarly, when at some point in S2 Stefan says something about Katherine being heartless (something along the lines, can't remember exactly), we are shown a flashback in which Katherine caresses dead!human!Stefan's face (btw This is one of the reasons I'm holding onto my hopeless theory that endgames are going to be Damon/Elena & Stefan/Katherine LOL)

Ah, see I do believe it's Damon/Elena, hands-down, but I'm still holding out hope for Stefan/Caroline. (I really want Elijah/Katherine too, but I've only had one episode really to build that on.) I'm not there for Stefan/Katherine anymore because (a) better character-meshing aside, Paul and Nina really do not have the bestest chemistry, and (b) she may have loved him more, but she DID love Damon too, and she did play both boys alongside each other so Damon was always part of the Stefan-equation. With Elijah, not only do Daniel and Nina have way better chemistry (I'd say the best Nina has with someone after Ian actually), but it would be all or nothing with Elijah, I do believe. And that hint of the dynamic in "Klaus" was so awesomely wonderful. That garden scene with them kinda owns my heart so ridiculously.

And of course, I've gone on and on ad nauseum re: my Stefan/Caroline OTP-ing. :)

ETA: Also, yes, with regards to Stefan. If Damon is the show's truth-teller (the sun-and-moon curse makes no sense he says! Yup, cuz it ain't real, the show reveals many an episode later), then Stefan is the show's clueless boy-wonder.

On the whole, yes, it wasn't the greatest episode but I guess I'm still high on 3x10 so I'm happy anyway haha

Yeah, not the greatest, but still pretty good, and we did have some great stuff pre-this episode (seven episodes of great in fact!). Yay, TVD!

This is a Cliff Notes version of a comment, just because I am getting tired, have to work tomorrow, but sharing my thoughts with you is important enough to try to combat that ...

Thank you for speaking out on Damon's behalf about the lack of gratitude!!

Everything you said about Stefan is exactly right as far as I'm concerned. You always give me food for thought and generally I end up totally and completely agreeing with you. This is certainly no exception. You ignited my indignation toward Stefan. Who the hell is he to be punching Damon when he's the one who made it quite clear that Elena needed to move on?? Did he really expect that he'd have any say in who she has feeling for??? How does he think he has the right to judge Damon for kissing her?? This selfish and insecure and jealous side is wholly unsympathetic. I truly hope his character arc will swing back in the positive direction.

Stefan badmouthing Damon is slimy and horrible and shows his inherent piousness (definitely NOT an attractive quality).

Anyhow, thanks so much for this thought-provoking post, Jenn but I must go to bed now if I'm to be able to function at work tomorrow. On a positive note, I have next week off :)

This is a Cliff Notes version of a comment, just because I am getting tired, have to work tomorrow, but sharing my thoughts with you is important enough to try to combat that ...

Aww, you're sweet! :D

Thank you for speaking out on Damon's behalf about the lack of gratitude!!

It's really pissing me off, dangit!

Everything you said about Stefan is exactly right as far as I'm concerned.

I just -- oh, Stefan.

You always give me food for thought and generally I end up totally and completely agreeing with you. This is certainly no exception.

Aww, well, thank you, I'm glad I help make things thought-provoking for you (I guess, wasn't sure how to word that, LOL!)

You ignited my indignation toward Stefan.

He was just not his best tonight, and unlike last week, he wasn't even awesomely horrible. He was just horrible.

Who the hell is he to be punching Damon when he's the one who made it quite clear that Elena needed to move on?? Did he really expect that he'd have any say in who she has feeling for??? How does he think he has the right to judge Damon for kissing her??

This, this, and this!

This selfish and insecure and jealous side is wholly unsympathetic. I truly hope his character arc will swing back in the positive direction.

I do believe it will, but like Damon's arc in season 02, it's a work in progress. As Damon still is, but he's gotten over the hump. Stefan will get there, I'm sure.

Stefan badmouthing Damon is slimy and horrible and shows his inherent piousness (definitely NOT an attractive quality).

To me it just shows what a jealous hypocrite it is when it comes to someone actually choosing Damon!

Anyhow, thanks so much for this thought-provoking post, Jenn but I must go to bed now if I'm to be able to function at work tomorrow. On a positive note, I have next week off :)

Glad you liked it, but sweetie, I have bad news for you ... next week is a rerun. We don't get a new episode until February 2nd. Sorry. :(

It was partly because Tyler has done some horrible things and it's glossed over by Bill. Bill was horrible to Caroline, and it's glossed over period.

I'm really hoping that this is going somewhere. It makes sense to me that Caroline glosses over her dad's behavior - she was half-way to doing that in the episode where it happened. Tyler... Tyler has a bad tendency to trust all the wrong people. Plus, Damon doesn't like Bill. So, I think it's going somewhere. But it does make me actively sad to see how helpless Caroline gets around Bill (again; it happened in the earlier episodes, too, and it tracks with how she behaves in the Matt/Caroline relationship, but it makes me sad).

His comment didn't read to me as Stefan being all noble about Damon (because, fuck that shit! Where was that nobility when he was with Elena?), it's about dogging his brother because Elena is his and she can't choose Damon over him. Because Stefan is the chosen one.

Yep, that's why I call what Stefan did 'faux-nobility'. It's not really noble, at all. He's using it as a way of trying to control Elena's choices - the thing with Stefan is that he almost never directly tries to force Elena's hand when it comes to choices, instead it's all about manipulation and indirect ways of trying to influence her choices. He lies or gives only enough truth to have her think what he wants her to think or he just chooses his words carefully in order to try to make himself look better (or Damon look worse). And he's been doing it since 1x01.

The only one who should feel guilty at this point is Stefan, who again, screwed the pooch all on his own!

Which takes me back to Dawson's Creek, actually. In that show, Joey breaks up with Dawson before summer starts. When school starts up again, she goes to him and wants to get back together and he tells her 'no'. She pines and cries a bit, and then she moves on. It's at least half the school year later when she and Pacey get together, but both of them feel incredibly guilty over it and when Dawson finds out, he acts like Joey cheated on him with Pacey. They'd been broken up for months! He had no right to act like Joey and Pacey weren't allowed to fall in love.

Anyway, similar situation here, only the stakes are more life-and-death because this is a show about vampires rather than just about high school students.

She is extraordinarily empathetic. Even to jerks. (For example, see: Damon in too many episodes to count; see: Tyler in "Crying Wolf.")

Yep, that's Elena!

I'm not super-hopeful though when the most interesting thing about the character's reveal was that she's the one who locked Mikael up, and that Mikael was a-doppelganger-hunting a few years back (and that's why she locked Mikael up). Ah well, we'll see what happens next week.

Yeah, I also find it interesting more for what it says about Elena's parents (they basically stuck her in a hole of 'be a normal girl!' even when they knew powerful supernatural creatures were specifically gunning for her) than Bonnie's mom, unfortunately, but I hope that we'll get more from that actress later.

dreamingahead thinks that it will lead to Bill trying to turn the town against vampires again and try and kill them all ala 1864.

it does make me actively sad to see how helpless Caroline gets around Bill (again; it happened in the earlier episodes, too, and it tracks with how she behaves in the Matt/Caroline relationship, but it makes me sad).

Yup, it's definitely in character, which is why I really am leaning towards both Stefan and Klaus as potential long-term love interests. With Stefan, yes, he knew human!Caroline, but barely. It was really kick-ass awesome vampire Caroline that he grew close with, and Klaus is just getting to know that Caroline, so there will be a strength they expect from her and thus hopefully she won't fall back into that submissive, weak pattern.

he almost never directly tries to force Elena's hand when it comes to choices, instead it's all about manipulation and indirect ways of trying to influence her choices.

Yup, and anyone not seeing that is either not paying attention, or deliberately ignoring what is so clearly there.

they basically stuck her in a hole of 'be a normal girl!' even when they knew powerful supernatural creatures were specifically gunning for her

Hmm, well, we know where that tendency of Elena's comes from now then, don't we? I would love flashbacks with Miranda and Grayson to see what they knew!

I was also spoiled for Elijah's return, but it's alright, as long as he's back :)

I haven't watched all of the episode yet. But I did love Bonnie and her questioning Damon's good kisser-ness. It made her finally, not judgmental about Damon, and that makes me like her. So, more of this Bonnie please!

I went a head and read your review anyway, and if you weren't that impressed by it, I probably won't be either. But that's okay, vampire diaries is awesome even with it's worst episodes lol

Haven't scene the Tyler/Bill scenes yet, but I can imagine them being yawn-worthy, we'll see. And no Caroline/Klaus, that's definitely sad making :( hopefully maybe when it comes back, in 2 weeks?

Stefan/Elena, umm, I just don't really care for their interaction really. Especially if it's just aimed at people wanting to ship them again. Their OVER, come on people. Let Elena move on..to Damon of course :)

I dunno, i'm worried that Stefan will definitely still be a part of the love triangle, even after being such an ass. That's what the stories about, so he's going to have to be forgiven and all that. I just don't WANT that back, ugh.

I probably won't be either. But that's okay, vampire diaries is awesome even with it's worst episodes lol

Pretty much.

Stefan/Elena, umm, I just don't really care for their interaction really. Especially if it's just aimed at people wanting to ship them again.

I don't think it was very good for S/E at all, so I don't see how it would be aimed for them. It felt like it was more about Elena's growth, and owning up to the reciprocal relationship with Damon that is developing.

I dunno, i'm worried that Stefan will definitely still be a part of the love triangle, even after being such an ass. That's what the stories about, so he's going to have to be forgiven and all that. I just don't WANT that back, ugh.

I don't know for sure if they would do this, but I would love it if the triangle remained, but DAMON became the center as opposed to Elena with them fighting in completely original ways without actually fighting, just kind of tug-of-war emotions over who Damon chooses. Hmmm.........